RICS APC Cheat Sheet 2026

The 27 highest-yield RICS APC facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954, what protection does Part II provide to business tenants? → Security of tenure — the right to renew the lease at the end of the contractual term
2. Under the RICS Code of Measuring Practice (6th Edition), what does 'GIA' stand for? → Gross Internal Area
3. What does 'IPMS' stand for in the context of property measurement? → International Property Measurement Standards
4. Which of the five methods of valuation is most commonly used for standard residential properties in the UK? → Comparison method
5. What is the most common cause of rising damp in UK buildings? → A failed or absent damp-proof course (DPC)
6. What type of cracking pattern typically indicates subsidence in a building? → Diagonal cracks that are wider at the top and taper towards the bottom
7. In the context of leasehold property valuation, what is a 'ground rent'? → The rent paid by a leaseholder to the freeholder for the use of the land
8. What is a 'programme' in the context of construction project management? → A schedule showing the planned sequence, duration, and timing of construction activities
9. What does 'BREEAM' stand for in the context of sustainable building assessment? → Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method
10. What does 'alienation' mean in the context of a commercial lease? → The tenant's rights to deal with the lease interest by assignment, subletting, or charging
11. Which RICS Rule of Conduct requires members to maintain their professional competence and only undertake work for which they are competent? → Rule 2 — Act with competence, care and respect
12. What is the effect of 'contracting out' of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954? → The tenant waives their right to security of tenure and automatic lease renewal
13. Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, who is the 'responsible person' for fire safety in a multi-tenanted commercial building? → The employer, occupier, or person with control over the premises or relevant part of it
14. Under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954, what statutory protection is afforded to business tenants at the end of their lease? → Security of tenure — the right to renew the lease on similar terms
15. How many hours of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) does RICS require qualified members to complete per year? → 20 hours per year, of which at least 10 must be formal/structured CPD
16. What does 'tenant covenant strength' refer to in commercial property management? → The tenant's financial standing and ability to meet its lease obligations
17. What does 'Part L' of the Building Regulations in England primarily cover? → Conservation of fuel and power (energy efficiency)
18. Under the RICS Red Book, what is a 'Red Book Valuation'? → A valuation carried out in accordance with RICS Valuation - Global Standards
19. What is a 'yield' in property investment valuation? → The relationship between income and capital value, usually expressed as a percentage
20. What is the 'Years' Purchase' (YP) in the investment method of valuation? → The multiplier applied to income to determine capital value, derived from the yield
21. Under the RICS Professional Statement 'Service Charges in Commercial Property', when must a service charge budget be issued to tenants? → Before the start of the service charge year to which it relates
22. What is the purpose of the UK Green Building Council (UKGBC)? → To campaign for a sustainable built environment and provide guidance to the industry
23. Which valuation method would typically be used to value a hotel or petrol station? → Profits method
24. What does 'NIA' measure in commercial property? → Net Internal Area
25. What is the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (MEES) for commercial property lettings in England and Wales? → EPC rating of E
26. What does 'efflorescence' on brickwork indicate? → The presence of soluble salts being brought to the surface by moisture evaporation
27. What is the UK Government's target year for achieving net zero carbon emissions? → 2050